Texas - Ideas for 1/3 day in San Antonio?

I have a few hours free. What do you suggest?

I've seen the Alamo. I've also seen the 5 or so Spanish missions south of the Alamo. I've been to downtown, saw an old church, saw the Mexican market nearby. I have no time for a tour of the Toyota plant. I've seen the Riverwalk. I've seen a military museum at Fort Sam Houston. Any other ideas?

Not sure what part of town you'll be in or what you like to do, but I am from there and some of my favorite things are close together and around Brackenridge Park...the zoo, the Sunken Gardens, the Witte Museum, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens a few blocks away.

This is a very timely thread for me. I was just looking for a way to burn some DL miles in F at 45000 per ticket, and managed to find a trip to SAT (via SLC and MSP, but that's another story).

Anyway, I appreciate the preceding advice, and would appreciate additional thoughts re dining and day trips. We'll be there 2.5 days. Thanks!

"We'll be there"...

So that indicates more than just you...significant other, friend, and or kids possibly.

So my favorite museum is the McNay Art Museum in Alamo Heights. You could definitely spend an afternoon there. The museum is buillt around the mansion of an art collector who collected during the late 1920s to 40s. It has since been added to and expanded. The grounds are lovely and host many a bridal photo shoot.

Lots downtown of course...the River Walk with hotels, shops and restaurants, the Alamo (let's "remember"), the IMAX theater, the Institute of Texan Cultures, riding the tour boats on the river walk...lots more that you may want to see, but I wouldn't even mention as it seems too touristy.

Day trips could be to German settled New Braunfels (30-40 min. drive) and Gruene. Landa Park, in the summer Schlitterbahn water park. There is a lovely drive on the River Road along the Guadalupe River out of New Braunfels. In Gruene you have shopping, restaurants, and the Gruene Hall...a real Texas dance hall with acts like: The Gourds, Reckless Kelly, James McMurtry, and Ray Wiley Hubbard. Check out KNBT radio 92.1 on the fm dial for local and national Americana and Country. Not too far from New Braunfels is the Natural Bridge Caverns (I have not visited in yrs, but the caverns are the same, they have just added a lot more stuff like zip lines and animals).

You could take a day and see the historic Spanish Missions. Mission San Jose has a mariachi service.

There are large amusement parks like Six Flags and Sea World.

Some like to go to the Westin La Cantera just to be there...nice place with a golf course.

If you like historic architecture, see downtown and just south in the King William Historic District - Guenther House can be toured on weekends.

Restaurants - downtown Mi Tierra Restaurant and Bakery, La Fogata on Vance Jackson, La Fonda on Main St, Paesanos on the River Walk or better yet at the Quarry Market (get the Shrimp Paesano appetizer), Twin Sister's Bakery and Cafe near McNay Art (lunch), and Silo Elevated on Austin Hwy for dinner.

Well there is lots more, but that is a start.

Frenchie, thanks very much

Yeah Mrs. P will be with me, but no kids, so we will probably pass on 6 Flags etc.

Do you know anything about the LBJ Historic Park near Fredricksburg? Is it worth the trip for a history geek like me?

Thanks again

Pioneer, I have not been there since Lady Bird passed away. While she lived there was more limitation to visiting there. I know that the ranch is pretty and you drive through it on 290. They have buffalo, log cabins and Lady Bird's wildflowers were always great in the spring and summer. Now that the Park Service does more in the way of tours it may be more interesting. In Johnson City is LBJ's boyhood home and a visitor's center. Of course the Presidential Library in Austin has a lot of neat things about them. Austin is about a 90 min drive from San Antonio.
Fredericksburg...another German settled town, has a WWII museum that focuses on the Pacific theater of the war. They just had a big remodel and Pres. Bush Sr was there to do the opening.
Fredericksburg is quite touristy and fun for shopping. Check out FM station KFAN 107.9 there and in Johnson City. (www.texasrebelradio.com)
You can check for restaurant reviews at www.texasmonthly.com.

Mrs and I are heading to San Antonio soon. This thread is helpful. What do you think about driving the rental car to the Mexican border, and crossing over? This is my first trip to San Antonio.

You know I am certainly not putting myself as any expert in this, but I would want to know which border town you are thinking of visiting or if you are planning something more ambitious to the interior of Mexico? Some border towns are easy to access by walking over and then catching a taxi or just walking, thus avoiding the possibility of the rental car being damaged across the border or worrying about getting insurance just for that. I will say that driving in Mexico is a little more aggressive than here in Texas and I brave Austin traffic on a regular basis. I once road in a taxi in Matamoros across from Brownsville when the driver decided he wanted to beat the train and drove on the wrong side of a divided boulevard at high speed with the gates coming down...we survived and beat the train.

There are bargains to be had and some good food and margaritas.

I had written some more stories and decided against...you never know what might happen there...kinda like Vegas.

Wineries in the hill country.

http://www.texaswinetrail.com/index.html

New JW Marriot opened with two PGA golf courses off 1604 and Bulverde.

Pearl Brewery

http://www.pearlbrewery.com/

Shiner Texas - beer tour
and eating BBQ in lulling....please go on an empty stomach!

Shopping at La Cantera and the Rim

Several great dining options on Houston Street (downtown) also around Stone Oak.

In addition, Wildfish, Brasserie Pavil, Roaring Fork (1604 and Huebner)

Forgot to mention the JW Marriot has three new restaurants.
Bankok Cuisine - Thai Food
Magnolia Pancake Haus - breakfast...get there early or its an hour plus wait
La Hacienda (1604 and Redland) featured on food channel (bobby flay)
Dough pizza (410 and blanco), 90 second pizza....best pizza in SATX

I second the McNay suggestion, it is very nice.

I am finding this very helpful. Most cities have some very nice places to eat. I was hoping to find a " Texas" dining experience. Bar Food or a little better, TexMex, or Texas BBQ. I am not sure the TexMex we get here in Virginia is the Best. And here in Virginia and farther south we favor the Pig over the Cow in making BBQ.

I will be staying North of town , in the area of Airport or North Star Mall. I will get in to town, and am still thinking about driving to a border town. Someone mentioned Acuna (sp) to me.

Bar Food or a little better, TexMex, or Texas BBQ.

For Texas BBQ, try either County Line BBQ (http://www.countyline.com/) or Salt Lick (http://www.saltlickbbq.com/). A bit of drive to Salt Lick in Driftwood though (& they don't take credit cards).

For Texas BBQ, try either County Line BBQ (http://www.countyline.com/) or Salt Lick (http://www.saltlickbbq.com/). A bit of drive to Salt Lick in Driftwood though (& they don't take credit cards).

Thanks, I've still got some Dollar Coins I've been wanting to put in circulation.

Thanks, I've still got some Dollar Coins I've been wanting to put in circulation.

That'll work. :)

If you have time, I suggest try them both so you get to taste true flavors of Texas BBQs. I would say Salt Lick has a bit blue-collar feel in comparison to County Line. Cole slaw in Salt Lick is a bit sour than average.

I also love love the daily fresh baked bread in County Line.

Please don't be intimated by the portion of Texas BBQ wherever you go. :D

That'll work. :)

If you have time, I suggest try them both so you get to taste true flavors of Texas BBQs. I would say Salt Lick has a bit blue-collar feel in comparison to County Line. Cole slaw in Salt Lick is a bit sour than average.

I also love love the daily fresh baked bread in County Line.

Please don't be intimated by the portion of Texas BBQ wherever you go. :D

Blue collar sounds good to me. Mapquest says it's about an hour and a half from San Antonio. Is that a worth while drive, senic or at least pleasant?

Mapquest says it's about an hour and a half from San Antonio. Is that a worth while drive, senic or at least pleasant?

I believe you'll be on North I-35 for quite a while. I-35, as you know, has lots of cargo trucks so not so much a joy ride.

OTOH, Salt Lick surrounding is quite rural so you have to pay closer attention to not to miss the turn. If you happen to visit during the spring, I say you should enjoy the Texas Bluebonnet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebonnet) quite a bit. My friends and I used to enjoy the drive to Salt Lick in the springtime from Austin.

If you are into caverns, I'll recommend Natural Bridge Caverns (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Bridge_Caverns) in New Braunfels as well.

If you are driving north from San Antonio on I 35 and you like to shop the check out the Outlet Malls at San Marcos... Exit 200 I believe. I am not a shopper but these are the best outlet malls my wife has ever dragged me to. Some great stores that you either never see outlets for anywhere (such as Neimen Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue etc, Renaisance Hardware Store, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, my wife likes Chicos, Coldwater Creek and others....
Go into Texas State University and see the glass bottomed boat lagon tour at Auquerina... just fascinating way to spend 45 minutes...

Old town Gruene is worth a visit also

We had a nice Mexican dinner at:

La Fogata
2427 Vance Jackson
San Antonio

good food and good drinks.

best Margarita in town.

San Antonio area coupon savings:

http://www.visitsanantonio.com/visitors/save/index.aspx

What is the best Southwestern/ Tex Mex restaurant in San Antonio in the general vicinity of the area between Market Square and the River Walk? Thanks

Best is a loaded question. What meal are you talking about? Breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night?

Lunch or dinner and pretty central - Los Barrios on Blanco Rd is a place locals go for lunch or dinner. La Fogata for dinner very good on Vance Jackson ...not neccessarily Tex-Mex specific. The same people own Tomatillo's...more Tex Mex.
Rosario's south of downtown. Mi Tierra near downtown is fun, touristy, solid food and bar.
Not tried but heard good - Panchito's in Olmos Park.

As far as local and a place I would go for just good food, not upscale, nor for the atmosphere...Blanco Cafe further south of Hildebrand on Blanco Rd.

Breakfast tacos and such is another matter.

"Mi Tierra" in the Mercado always comes to mind, colorful, character, 24 hours, bar & bakery attached, wide menu, simply not the best TexMex.

Day in and day out, "Rosario's", a few blocks South of Downtown on S. Alamo, consistent interpretations of Mexican food a step above mundane TexMex. TexMex isa desperately limited spectrum, really no more than 20 or so dishes prepared from a limited list of ingredients, comfort food for us who have grown up with it, but the most limited palette of the various regional cuisines of Mexican heritage (which include SoCal, Aridzone and Nuevo Mejico, somewhat depraved and degenerate branches of the family tree).

We ate at Rosario's last night. I would give it 3 stars out of five. (It was recommended to us not only here, but also unsolicited by a cab driver.) Great salsa, good service, reasonable proces, but the food did not quite measure up to some of the better places in Houston etc. But the place was packed, so it's very popular, so maybe the problem is me. And the food was fine, but not great IMHO. No reservations, no wine list.

We ate at Biga on the Banks today, based on the Zagat rating (27 for food). I would give it 4.5 stars for food. Excellent wine list, great service, interesting menu, and you get a free glass of Champagne for booking online. Fairly busy, not cheap, but there is a 3 course meal for $37.

Of course, the River Walk was great, even though the boats weren't operating due to rain. The San Antonio Zoo, although old, has a very extensive collection, and the adjacent Witte museum has some great exhibits.

Thanks for the advice